First landing of Filipinos in the United States

Landing of the first Filipinos
A close up of a metal plaque with writing in English
Plaque dedicated in 1995
LocationMorro Bay
Coordinates35°22′20″N 120°51′40″W / 35.372285°N 120.861135°W / 35.372285; -120.861135
Built1995
First landing of Filipinos in the United States is located in southern California
First landing of Filipinos in the United States
The location of the landing of the first Filipinos
First landing of Filipinos in the United States is located in California
First landing of Filipinos in the United States
First landing of Filipinos in the United States (California)
First landing of Filipinos in the United States is located in the United States
First landing of Filipinos in the United States
First landing of Filipinos in the United States (the United States)

On 18 October 1587, the first Filipinos landed in what is now the Continental United States at Morro Bay.[1] They arrived aboard the Nuestra Señora de Buena Esperanza, which had sailed from Portuguese Macau, as part of the Manila galleon trade.[2] During about three days of travels ashore around Morro Bay, the crew of the Nuestra Señora de Buena Esperanza came in contact with the Chumash people, ultimately resulting in the deaths of two crew members: one Spaniard and one Filipino.[3]

Departing Morro Bay after the deaths of the crew members, the Nuestra Señora de Buena Esperanza eventually reached its intended destination of Acapulco.[4] No other Filipino landed in California until 1595.[5] In 1995, a monument on Morro Bay was dedicated to commemorate the events of 1587.[6] October has been designated as Filipino American History Month since 2009 in recognition of these events.[7]

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